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No. 751,994. I PATENTED FEB. 9, 1904.

' R. A. PERLIE.

GARMENT SUPPUR'TER.

AIPLIOATION FILED MAY 23, 1903.

Patented February 9, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REBCCA A. PERLIE, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

GARMENT-SUPPORTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 751,994, dated February 9, 1904.

7 Application filed May 23, 1903. Serial No. 158,459. (No model.)

to connect the skirt and waist and to give the "straight-front appearance to the wearer.

The invention consists in a plate having oppositely-disposed hooks at its opposite sides to hold the waist down and the skirt up, with which may be combined means for holding together the lateral gathers of the skirt, all as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a general perspective view of this device with all its parts complete. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a central vertical section. Fig. 1 is a front elevation.

In the drawings the letter M designates a metal plate, which is preferably formed in about the shape shown. This plate has holes or apertures A near its upper corners, into which the wearer can tie tapes T, designed to pass around the waist and perhaps to cross at the back and be brought forward and tied in a bow-knot; but I desire it to be distinctly understood'that the tapes may be omitted, as they are only designed for use by those ladies who feel that the device might possibly become detached from the garment, and hence desire an additional safeguard.

The principal feature of my invention consists of a compound hook H with two points,

der these bends and then solder it tothe face of the plate. The upper end of said shank is turned downward into a hook D, standing over the face of the plate, and the lower end of the shank is bent upward around the lower edge of the plate into a hook U, standing adjacent the rear face of the plate. The use of this compound hook will be described below. Across the top of the plate and at right angles to the length of the hook is a pin P, whose shank stands in rear of and is soldered to the plate, one extremity of the shank passing through the plate and forming an engaging hook E and the other extremity passing through the plate and forming a spring-pin S, which is adapted to be engaged under said hook E, as usual in pins of this character.

If the tapes are employed, this device is preferably applied after the lady has donned her skirt, but before she has put on her waist. If the tapes are not employed, both garments may be put on before the pin is put in place. In any event the first step is to engage the upturned hook U through the skirt and every garment over the abdomen outside of the corsets, (including the unmentionables,) whereby no injury to the wearer can possibly occur and every garment will be positively supported. If the tapes are employed, they are next carried around the waist and tied. The next step is to gather in laterally the folds of the loose front of the waist, and if the pin is employed these folds are run onto it to hold their gathers in proper shape and the pin S engaging under the hook E. The lower ends of these folds are then borne downward and engaged under the downturned-hook D; but it is quite possible that these folds can be gathered in laterally and held by other means or could even be held in their gathered shape by the hook D alone. Finally, the belttis applied as usual, and by preference it is crossed in front and engaged under the hook D, so that the lower edge of the waist is covered.

I do not limit myself to the exact shapes, sizes, proportions, or materials of parts, although it is preferably entirely of metal and should be highly nickeled or japanned to prevent rusting. As above stated, the tapes are not absolutely necessary, and if they are omitted the apertures need not be made. Furthermore, the pin is not absolutely necessary, although with a waist of rather full front it will be found desirable to hold the gathers in shape. 'Furthermore, it is quite conceivable that other means could be employed to hold these gathers laterally. The hook D always holds them down and produces the straight-front appearance. If both the hooks are properly applied, the-result in action will be that the weight of the front of the skirt drawing down on the hookU will be communicated through the plate M and the hook D to the folds or gathers of the waist, whereby the latter will of course be drawn taut, especially down its front plait.

What is claimed as new is 1. A garment-supporter consisting of a,

plate; and a compound hook comprising a shank and two oppositely-disposed points both standing parallel with the shank, the latter being passed through bends struck up in and also soldered to the face of the plate and the front hook pointing downward while the rear hook passes around the lower end of the plate and points upward.

2. A garment supporter consisting of a plate, a compound hook comprising a shank and two oppositely-disposed points both standing parallel with the shank, the latter being secured to the face of the plate and the front hook pointing downward while the rear hook passes around the lower end of the plate and points upward, and means independent of the hook for holding the plate in place upon the wearer.

3. A garment supporter consisting of a plate, and means for detachably securing thereto the gathered folds of the waist; combined with a compound hook comprising a shank and two oppositely-disposed points both standing parallel with the shank, the latter being secured to the face of the plate and the front hook pointing downward while the rear hook passes around the lower end of the plateand points upward.

i. A garment supporter consisting of a plate, and means for detachably securing thereto the gathered folds of the waist; combined with a compound hook secured in an upright position to the plate with its outer point projecting downward and its inner point projecting upward, and additional means for holding the plate in place upon the wearer.

5. A garment-supporter consisting of a plate, a transverse pin on its upper portion, and an upright compound hook-beneath said pin, the forward point projecting downward and the rearward point projecting upward.

6. A garment supporter consisting of a plate, and an upright compound hook at its lower portion with the forward point projecting downward and the rearward point projecting upward; combined with a pin whose shank is soldered to the rear of theplate, one extremity passing through the plate and form: ing an engaging hook and the other extremity passing through the plate and forming a spring-pin whose tip is adapted to extend across the front of the plate and engage said hook.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my signature this the 12th day of May, A. D. 1903.

REBCCA A. PERLIE.

Witnesses:

I N. L. COLLAMER,

J. F. BRANDENBURG. 

